Best Food Spots in Lexington, Kentucky

I’ve been a BIG fan of Lexington for a few years now, having visited the city a half dozen times or so I have found some go to spots that I always frequent whenever in town; however, I continue to always stumble across new places every time I explore the city and surrounding area. In this post I list three of my favorite locations for food that I think are must stop spots on anyone’s list when looking for something to eat when in Lexington.

Josie’s (Brunch)

This family friendly restaurant is just a short drive from downtown but definitely worth the venture! Best known for their breakfast you can brunch all day long here as breakfast is offered around the clock. The interior is quite quaint and has a very unique vibe. The service was great and most importantly the food was delicious and a great price too! They have a variety of options that will satisfy anyone’s taste buds. Due to its popularity though I would recommend getting there early as you will often have to wait (we waited almost an hour) but this is definitely one place that is worth the wait. I will absolutely be stopping by here again next time in town. They also have a location in Georgetown as well. Website: http://josiesky.com/locations/lexington

Goodfellas Pizzeria (Lunch)

Located in Lexington’s Distillery District in the original James E. Pepper Distillery, Goodfellas is a spacious pizza joint that offers a variety of pizzas along with other appetizers and dinner options. A great stop for either lunch or dinner depending on your appetite. You can get a whole pizza if you have a real big appetite or want to share, or you can opt for pizza by the slice if you aren’t too hungry or want to try a variety of options. Of particular note, we tried the buffalo chicken cheese bread which by and far was one of the most amazing and savory dishes we had on our most recent trip to Lexington and was everyone’s favorite food the entire weekend in Lexington. In addition to their food, they also offer a rather large selection of beer and bourbon behind the bar. The bourbon pours and cocktails seemed a bit pricey in my mind, but the beers were reasonably priced for your typical craft beers. They do have a great outdoor patio including a bocce court and fire pits. Great location as well as you can walk to the many additional bars, restaurants, brewery, distillery, and ice cream shop that help make up the Lexington Distillery District.

Website: https://www.goodfellaspizzeria.com/

Carson’s (Dinner)

If you’re looking for a place to grab some dinner that has a true Lexington feel, then Carson’s is the place to be! Just a 15 minute walk from the heart of downtown or a quick couple minute drive down the road it’s a place that you don’t want to miss out on. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, a spacious speakeasy style bar, and cozy seating areas in a well lit and somewhat upscale style setting but with a down to earth, Southern style vibe. The waiting staff and service was unbelievably outstanding. Our waiter went above and beyond with our service and was extremely helpful in helping us decide on dinner options and he also did not try to upsell us at all on the drinks throughout the night either which is always nice. Their entire menu sounds too good to be true but I went with their pasta dish which was more than I could have anticipated. I would highly recommend their pretzel appetizer to snack on while you wait for your meal.

In addition to their food being outstanding and the service being top notch, their drink menu rivals most with a lengthy list of wine, cocktails out of this world, and a world class bourbon list amongst other options. I did the house old fashioned which was probably one of the best I've ever had. They also have bourbon samplers which is a great option if you are looking to taste a variety of bourbons. For the quality of both the food and the drinks it is well worth the price and rather reasonable on the wallet considering the portion sizes and the quality of both food and drinks. I literally can’t wait to go back here again in the future and try some of the other amazing dishes on their menu. Rumor has it that they are also well known for their breakfast and I can only imagine and have no doubt that you would not be disappointed swinging by for brunch either. Definitely would recommend a reservation, especially with social distancing protocols and the popularity you likely won’t be getting in without calling ahead first.

Website: https://www.carsonsfoodanddrink.com/

I hope you get to enjoy these delightful places one day during your own journeys through Lexington and enjoy them as much as I have! I don't think you will be disappointed. Cheers!